Use Caution

I Was lucky enough to get out for a ride two days in a row hitting the North Foothills. Yesterday was out in the morning without a snag. Today was a different story. Found a wire strung up across the trail just east of Tramway. While riding I was unable to see it. The wire struck my neck taking me down. Thankfully it did not cut only bruise right side of the neck. After I got back up the wire was removed and destroyed. Trail is now clear but I'd still use caution while riding.

Not The tram but East of Tramway, North of Sims Park RD. Tried grabbing a pic off of Google Maps. If you zoom in it was rigged off the very first pole. Was able to get coordinates from Google Maps (35.157600, -106.496750). Looked like some wire one would use for fencing. Thankfully the leatherman was more than enough to remove it.

My understanding is there have been more destructive type activity south on Tramway over the wooden bridges. What I hear is that someone is trying set fire to them. I have not seen to confirm, but have no reason to doubt the source.

Just emailed you with details. Do not know exactly what the land there is classified as. Do not think it matters much as next time if the individual continues it may end up on USFS, Open Space or City land. The unfortunate individual that finds it might not be as lucky. Hopefully we will have an incident free ride season.

Thanks for the info. The location is important for our reporting to law enforcement but both agencies have been notified.

I would assume that USFS Land being Federal such crimes are Felonies. On AOS land it becomes County/State Jurisdiction and doesn't probably carry the same type of weight as for penalties.

I know in the foothills I've seen huge rocks placed in the trails and things like tacks but never anything like booby-trapping that would cause bodily harm. Uncool no doubt!

And it also re-inforces what FooMTB has been saying for years. Greet every hiker and runner with the utmost in courtesy. Use a bell, and remember the rights of way. Kill 'em with kindness and maybe they won't try and kill us with a booby-trap!

I must echo that. I'm hyper-courteous on the trails, figuring the same hiker I encounter has probably been blown off the trail by a bike more than once. If there's a dog, I always stop and talk... to the owner, that is... OK, both. Point is, I really don't want to pay for others' rudeness by losing the trails or worse, getting clothes-lined and never get up. Let's build a better rep.
As for the new rocks appearing in the North Footies, I like it. Might be someone's idea of vandalism, but it's making the trail more interesting.

the rocks goat is referring to were placed to inflict harm to bike riders, typically in blind spots where bikes would be carrying a lot of speed. I saw an open space police officer removing some of the large rocks along the trail parallel to Simms Park Rd. He said they've been placed in other locations too and they think this sabotage is being done during dark hours. keep your eyes peeled for suspicious activity out there and let's catch these bas#$@!s

the rocks goat is referring to were placed to inflict harm to bike riders, typically in blind spots where bikes would be carrying a lot of speed. I saw an open space police officer removing some of the large rocks along the trail parallel to Simms Park Rd. He said they've been placed in other locations too and they think this sabotage is being done during dark hours. keep your eyes peeled for suspicious activity out there and let's catch these bas#$@!s

Wonder if this might be the same individual??? Hate to see such things happening on the trails.

It is the same as a 1 foot high rock in the road. Do you ride your motorcycle on mountain roads faster than you can avoid a rock-slide around a curve you can't see? Just asking, because I encounter plenty of people who do. I just can't figure out what their contingency plan is. Crash?

It is the same as a 1 foot high rock in the road. Do you ride your motorcycle on mountain roads faster than you can avoid a rock-slide around a curve you can't see? Just asking, because I encounter plenty of people who do. I just can't figure out what their contingency plan is. Crash?

IF there is a rock slide in the mountains across the road on a blind corner, you will crash...... If not by by hitting the rocks, then by the person behind you, or by going over the cliff.

Regardless, if your trying to say that seeing a person is the same as seeing a rock then keep on believing that. I have hit a few of these rock that have been moved, a few snakes, and even a couple unleashed dogs, but never a person. I know where the blind corners are and always look ahead to check for hikers and bikers before I get there. I will see the people (or any other tall object), but not the rocks and snakes and little dogs smaller than the height of the weeds or blocked by a roller.

"I think im gonna go to walmart and look at the mountain bikes and see if i can salvage the rear frame."- Nick_Knipp 3/21/12